Thermostatic signal



March 29 1927. 1,622,545

c. G. SCHELLENBERGER THERMOSTATIC slGNAL Original Filed Aug. 21. 1925 Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES G. SGHELLENBERGER, 0F BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN; THE OLD NATIONAL BANK OF BATTLE CREEK, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID SCI-IELLENBERGER, DECEASED.

THERMOSTATIC SIGNAL.

Application filed August 21, 1925, Serial No. 51,710. Renewed February 10, 1927.

This invention relates to thermostatic sig nals specially adapted for use on the radiators of motor vehicles to enable the operator to ascertain at a glance the heat conditions of his radiator; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

in the ilrawings, Figure 1. is a vertical section of a signal chamber provided with a thermostatic arm according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view, taken on line 22 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view of the arm and signal as shown in Fig. 1 but shows the signal raised.

A supporting casing 6 is provided and has a suitable sight opening 7. This casing or support has a tubular stem 8 and a nut 9 screwed thereon and adapted to secure the device to the cap of a radiator. A bifurcated thermostatic arm 10 is provided, and is formed of a single piece of thin sheet metal or other material which expands when heated. This arm has its loop 12 formed at about the middle part of the length of the strip, and the strip is bent to form two parts 14 and 16 which overlap each other. One part 14 has its lower end portion above the loop secured to the support inside the tubular stem 8 by a screw 17 or other fastening device, and the upper end portions of the parts 14 and 16 are arranged at an angle to their lower end portions.

The upper end of the part 14 is provided with a longitudinal guide slot 18, and the material at the sides of this slot is bent double to form eyes 19. The top end of the other part 16 has a guide strip 20 cut away from one edge of it, and projecting on the other side of it from the part 14. The top 21 of the part 16 forms the trip which actuates the semaphore signal 24.

This semaphore signal 24 is preferably formed of a plate of translucent material, shaped something like a pear in. outline. The smaller end part 25 of this plate is pivoted in the guide slot 18 by means of a pin 26 mounted in the eyes 19. The lower side of the signal plate has a notch 27 adja cent to its pivot pin, and the trip end 21 of the part 16 is normally arranged in this notch.

The normal position of the device is shown in Fig. 1, and when operated the semaphore signal is guided by the fork-ed upper end of the part 14 and the guide strip 20 which overlaps the plate.

When the thermostatic arm is exposed to sufiicient heat, the expansion of its parts moves the part 16 away from the part 14 as shown in Fig. 3, and the semaphore signal is raised by the top 21 of the part 16 which bears on the bottom edge of the plate and against one side of the notch.

What I- claim is:

1. A thermostatic signal, comprising a bifurcated arm of expansion material having two overlapping parts, one part having a longitudinal guide slot in its upper end, and a semaphore plate arranged in the said slot and pivoted to the said part of the arm and having its lower edge arranged in the path of the top of the other part of the arm as it expands when heated.

2. A thermostatic signal as set forth in claim 1, the said bifurcated arm having its upper end portions arranged at an angle to its lower and looped end portions.

3. A thermostatic signal as set forth in claim 1, the said arm having two eyes for the pivot of the semaphore plate formed by bending double the portions of the part on each side of its longitudinal slot.

4. A thermostatic signal as set forth in claim 1, the part of the said arm which actuates the semaphore plate having a guide strip for the said plate at one of its edges.

5. A thermostatic signal as set forth in claim 1, the said semaphore plate being pear-shaped in form and having its smaller end pivoted to the arm and provided on its lower edge with a notch which normally receives the end of the actuating part of the arm.

In testimony whereof I have affix-ed my signature.

CHARLES G. SCHELLENBERGER. 

